Les Heisz

Leslie Melvin Heisz, known as “Uncle Bud” or “Les”, died at the age of 90, Saturday, September 17, 2016.  He was born January 12, 1926 in Belleville, KS, the son of Roy and Beulah (Campbell) Heisz. He attended Rural Jewell County Elementary Schools and Mankato High School, graduating on June 4, 1944. The day after his graduation, he picked up his induction notice for the US Army, which he already knew was waiting for him prior to graduation at the post office. He served in World War II at several locations as a mail clerk until his honorable discharge on May 7, 1946, after which he immediately applied to college to study for the ministry in the United Methodist Church. Leslie attended Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, KS as a pre-ministerial student. He married Edith DeMoss, of Osborne, KS on June, 5, 1949, and following his graduation in June 1950, they traveled to NJ to begin his studies at the United Methodist Seminary, Drew Theological School, Drew University. In addition to working on his ministerial degree, Leslie served 3 small churches around Colesville, NJ where he and Edith lived. He graduated from Drew Theological School with a Masters of Div. on June 4, 1954. After graduation, Leslie and Edith returned to KS where he spent the rest of his life serving many united Methodist churches in the Kansas West Conference. Leslie served on the Maize school board and was very proud of his involvement in the building of the Maize High School in the early 80’s. Leslie was very active and enjoyed his time in the Lions Club, 60 years and the Masonic Lodge in which he was a member for almost 70 years. He is preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Beulah Heisz; sister, Ella Blake. He is survived by wife, Edith Heisz; sons, Kenneth (Leslie) Heisz, Keith Heisz, grandsons, Hunter, Michael and Evan, and many nieces and nephews.  Visitation will be held Sunday, September 25, 2016 from 1pm -5pm at Petersen Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be held at Trinity Heights United Methodist Church 1200 Boyd Ave, Newton, KS on Monday, September 26, 2016 at 10:30am. Burial will be held on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Courtland, KS at 10:30am.  Memorial contributions may be made to Asbury Park, Good Samaritan Fund or Trinity Heights United Methodist Church Foundation Fund. Condolences may be left at www.petersenfamilyfuneralhome.com